WASHINGTON (CNN) - Some say total openness is the key to a healthy marriage. But it appears, for now at least, Hillary Clinton isn't telling her husband whether she has her eye on running for the White House in 2016.

In an exclusive interview, the former president pleaded ignorance when asked if his wife and former Secretary of State would vie for the nation's highest office in 2016. Clinton told Zakaria that, while some people may know Hillary's intentions, he's "not one of the people who does."

The political hype machine has been stoking the proverbial speculation furnace over the former New York senator's presidential ambitions since before Barack Obama coasted to a re-election victory over Mitt Romney last year. Prominent Democrats in Congress have already called for Clinton to enter the race and vowed to support Hillary with both their votes and their checkbooks.

Still, Clinton emphasized that even if Hillary has made a decision one way or the other, there's plenty of time for her to change her mind.

"I think she would be the first to tell you that there is no such thing as a done deal, ever, by anybody," the former president said.

Despite a tension-filled exit from the State Department, highlighted by her contentious turn in January in front of the Senate Foreign Relations panel on the Benghazi fallout, Bill Clinton said his wife's tenure as the country's top diplomat underscored her strengths as a leader.

"People across the political spectrum finally got to see her the way those of us who know her see her," Bill Clinton said. "She shows up for work every day, gets stuff done and is very strong about it."

Fareed Zakaria's exclusive interview will air this Sunday at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. ET on CNN.

soundoff(38 Responses)

Mark

Hillary decided she was going to run in 2016 the day she conceded to Obama in '08. It makes no sense to announce now. She'll announce after the mid-terms and walk to the nomination... and likely the Presidency.

September 21, 2013 04:11 pm at 4:11 pm |

Lelo

I see he still a liar, why can't he just say he can't answer at this time

I know, she is and the GOP can pack up and go home for another eight years, who would vote for the GOP party of the 1%!!!!!

September 21, 2013 05:07 pm at 5:07 pm |

Anonymous

god help us all mike

September 21, 2013 06:38 pm at 6:38 pm |

don in albuquerque

@Mikey B.- Oh I think there have been some very honest Dems., and for the most part pretty intelligent. Is't the GOTP that seem to be unable to come up with a candidate who has an IQ above a potato. All you have do is read a few of the posts here to understand that. And by the way, do you think it was only one or two repubs who voted for Obama? Now...."deny..deny...deny."

September 21, 2013 06:40 pm at 6:40 pm |

Ron L

Hillary will announce in about 14 months, in all likelihood she will be our first woman President and the Republicans are in for another ROUGH eight years.

September 21, 2013 07:03 pm at 7:03 pm |

Mikey B.

You libs would stand a better chance in 2016 with a WEINER/HOLDER ticket!

September 21, 2013 08:27 pm at 8:27 pm |

Js

Hopefully, she'll be in jail – for her Benghazi crimes- At least, the useless witch could enjoy her lesbian activities from jail.

September 21, 2013 11:57 pm at 11:57 pm |

simplyput

I don't have anything against the Clintons personally, I just despise *political correctness* in whatever administration the media supports. Hate games, and manipulation, and CNN editiors who misspell comments to make people look ignorant, or omit their comments altogether out of fear to print the dissent....but mostly I despise political correctness. Never heard that label before the Clintons.

September 22, 2013 12:18 am at 12:18 am |

Susan

"I don't know what she's going to do," ......

Another lie from the clintons.

September 22, 2013 11:56 am at 11:56 am |

Who cares?

democrat, republican....it doesn't matter in the least....get mad at the dems, vote in a republican, get mad at the GOP, vote in the dems....they are all owe favors to the same corps....to the same special interest groups. Even foreign lobbies have more say than the US general public in what is supposed to be our government.

Whats the old saying? Insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.

September 22, 2013 01:12 pm at 1:12 pm |

pattianne

Let's hope she doesn't run. Hillary and Bill have been involved in many scandals and that is something that should not be carried back into the White House. Do you all remember the following: Whitewater, Travelgate, Gennifer Flowersgate, Filegate, Vince Fostergate, Whitewater Billing Recordsgate, Paula Jonesgate, Chinagate, The Lewinsky Affair, Selling Military Technology to the Chinesegate, Juanita Broaddrick Gate, Pardongate, Lootergate, and many, many more. Enough is Enough.

September 22, 2013 02:55 pm at 2:55 pm |

Hillary is prejudice

Hillary cheered The Book of Mormon play - a play that disparaged Mormon people and their culture. If you vote for her, then you must admit that you don't think that being prejudice against a certain group of people is that big of a deal. It's that simple.